View Full Version : NAB U-18 Champs @ Etihad Stadium, Wednesday July 1
Ben the Gooner
30 Jun 2009, 12:18
Assuming my leg lets me, I'll be heading down to the Dome tomorrow to have a look at the potential Essendon draftees strut their stuff tomorrow.
If you give me a list of names, I'll provide a bit of feedback on how they played and post that up tomorrow night.
The players I have at the moment are (and I'll keep editing this):
Tom Scully
John Butcher
Anthony Morabito
Kane Lucas
Jesse Crichton
Allen Christensen
Koby Stevens
Jack Fitzpatrick
Secondly, like last year, I'm happy to meet with anyone who also comes along. Last year I had a good chat with ant555 about the kids playing and also about Essendon under Knights, but this year I'd like to meet more of you.
I'd suggest Aisle 1 at half time in the Vic Metro v SA game. I'm the one with the crutches.;)
Colin D'Cops
30 Jun 2009, 12:45
I'll be going also. Have to meet up with a few other people as well, so if I see you noticeably with the crutches I'll come over and have a chat. :thumbsu:
I would meet up with you, but I don't associate with cripples. :p
In all seriousness, a run-down of the games would be great.
I will be there all day. Should be interesting.
Ben the Gooner
30 Jun 2009, 13:25
Which players are of particular interest to Essendon, and what numbers do they wear?
stay true
30 Jun 2009, 13:27
I'll hopefully be there.
fishguts
30 Jun 2009, 14:46
Secondly, like last year, I'm happy to meet with anyone who also comes along. Last year I had a good chat with ant555 about the kids playing and also about Essendon under Knights, but this year I'd like to meet more of you.
I'd suggest Aisle 1 at half time in the Vic Metro v SA game. I'm the one with the crutches.;)
I'll be going also. Have to meet up with a few other people as well, so if I see you noticeably with the crutches I'll come over and have a chat. :thumbsu:
Might see you both up there then.
Assuming my motivation lets me.
Colin D'Cops
30 Jun 2009, 16:21
Which players are of particular interest to Essendon, and what numbers do they wear?
Who knows?! I know a fair few that are on our radar, but they're most likely non-first round material. Still plenty of time to really nail down those that are AFL material.
bomber69
30 Jun 2009, 17:38
Try and see anyone that should go mid first round (where we should have our pick). Allen Christensen, Jack Fitzpatrick, Koby Stevens etc..
strategy
30 Jun 2009, 18:34
W A have already won the competition due to win / loss / percentage
Its live on Fox
fishguts
30 Jun 2009, 18:41
W A have already won the competition due to win / loss / percentage
Its live on Fox
Unless Country win by about 100.
Ludwig van Bertstare
30 Jun 2009, 23:55
Jack Trengove?
Ben I'll be there.
However, I will give you a few names and then we can compare tomorrow night..
Game 1:
Harwood, Crichton.
Tutt, Kirkwood.
Game 2:
Magin, Bevan.
May, T.Taylor, S.Taylor, Ah Chee.
Game 3:
Vardy, Cunnington, Bastinac.
Colyer,Sheppard, Duncan, Lucas.
Game 4:
Gysberts, Moore, Scott.
Trengove, Panos, Carey.
Will be monitoring the ones in bold closely.
look at Kane Lucas, maybe Trengrove, Bewick and Wanganeen
Ludwig van Bertstare
1 Jul 2009, 14:15
Dustin Martin is a GUN. I want this guy on our team.
hird+lloyd=legends
1 Jul 2009, 15:38
i like the look of Steven May. Takes a good grab, leads well and can finish well with a goal.
stay true
1 Jul 2009, 17:18
Was at the dome for the 2nd half of the NT QLD game and the Vic Country WA game.
Deliberatly kept an eye out for Christensen and Cunnington after ant mentioned them in another thread a few weeks ago.
Cunnington really impressed me. Disposal wasn't the greatest but I loved his attack on the ball and second and third efforts. I really like this kid.
Christensen had a bit of the ball early but was quiet when WA took control.
Dustin Martin also looked really good (as RIG mentioned) as well as Gary Rohan. Rohan's very quick and has great acceleration and found a lot of the ball but like Cunnington his disposal wasn't the best.
Kane Lucas looked pretty good too. Can't think of anything else...
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 17:28
Any questions from today's happenings? I was there from the very first match, too half time in the last match (VICM V SA). Left at half time in the last match because it was bloody freezing!
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 17:30
Didn't see you Ben BTW, was looking around a fair bit but couldn't spot the crutches! Where were you sitting?
Any questions from today's happenings? I was there from the very first match, too half time in the last match (VICM V SA). Left at half time in the last match because it was bloody freezing!
how was Trengove? Lucas? Stevens? Wanganeen
Jonesy1987
1 Jul 2009, 17:58
Liked the look of Jake Carlisle, took a few good contested marks, maybe a second rounder if we are lucky? Talia was impressive also.
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 18:01
how was Trengove? Lucas? Stevens? Wanganeen
Trengove was very good in the first half. Was in and outside packs and his skills were very good. Lucas was rather quiet, expected a little more I must say and noticeably missed two goals he would normally slot through the big sticks. Stevens wasn't overly noticeable I must say today, so can't really comment on him. Probably didn't notice him as he could have been in & under packs for the majority of the time. Wanganeen was rather quiet in the first half, and I found him quite hard to spot as he didn't get the ball much at all.
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 18:02
Talia was impressive also.
Agree.
Boucks09
1 Jul 2009, 18:03
Talia stood out for me in the last game. His contested efforts and marking were outstanding. He could be the sort of player that could slip to the mid first round also, given the depth of W.A's midfield talent.
Wasn't impressed with Fitzpatrick. He looks like another Kepler but his kicking is worse!
Imagine we could get another Dustin on our list! Got the feeling he will go fairly high though.
Trengove was very good in the first half. Was in and outside packs and his skills were very good. Lucas was rather quiet, expected a little more I must say and noticeably missed two goals he would normally slot through the big sticks. Stevens wasn't overly noticeable I must say today, so can't really comment on him. Probably didn't notice him as he could have been in & under packs for the majority of the time. Wanganeen was rather quiet in the first half, and I found him quite hard to spot as he didn't get the ball much at all in the first half.
Also, did Bewick play?
Very impressed with Lucas, Matera, Martin and Ah Chee.
Was a very good day of football. :thumbsu:
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 18:07
Also, did Bewick play?
I'm not sure, didn't look out for him TBH.
Very impressed with Lucas, Matera, Martin and Ah Chee.
Was a very good day of football. :thumbsu:
was that Phil's or Peter's son? very good player
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 18:08
Very impressed with Matera
Matera is very much like a Didak / LeCras type of player.
He had another good game today. :thumbsu:
Jonesy1987
1 Jul 2009, 18:09
Wanganeen was rather quiet in the first half, and I found him quite hard to spot as he didn't get the ball much at all.
Paid a bit of attention to him, a lot of unrewarded running and good positioning, was very good without the ball in hand, can't make much of a judgment as he didn't touch it much.
Ludwig van Bertstare
1 Jul 2009, 18:10
I'd give up anything excluding Ryder and Hurley for Scully.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 18:21
Didn't see you Ben BTW, was looking around a fair bit but couldn't spot the crutches! Where were you sitting?
Aisle 37 mate.
I missed the first half of the TAS-NSW game, and the last quarter of the VICM-SA game, but what I'm about to post are my notes on the rest of the games.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 18:28
Tasmania v New South Wales/ACT
Tasmania:
7: Joshua Green (180/73)
Green was everywhere in the last half of this game. He has fairly nice skills, and won a ton of clearances. He's a ranga, so I'd suggest a nickname of Bluey for Green. Was clearly Tassie's best in that half.
14: Jesse Crichton (183/66)
I watched Crichton closely because of a) his name; and b) his high rating. I have to say I was disappointed. A couple of times he showed glimpses of his enormous ability, but to be honest he look lazy out there. I watched him especially for a little bit of the third quarter, and he looked like a real sheepdog. He certainly isn't ready to have a Rich/Selwood/Palmer type influence on the competition, and really needs to improve his endurance and gain a lot of weight.
38: Cameron Milne (200/97)
The ruckman presented well up forward as well as dominating the hitouts. Takes a good mark, but doesn't have outstanding games.
I didn't really watch anyone from NSW closely like Crichton, and no one really stood out to me.
This really was a horrible game of footy.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 18:41
Queensland v Northern Territory:
Queensland
6: Alik Magin (178/66)
Alik did a few nice things, but wasn't imposing enough. He had a terrible OOF in the last quarter under no pressure at all. He's very much an outside player, from what I saw.
28: Amua Pirika (189/77)
This kid presented very well across the half forward/full forward line, and did a few nice things around goal.
Northern Territory
3: Scott Taylor (181/74)
Taylor ran pretty well, and did a few nice things. He certainly has potential, and put in a pretty close to four quarter effort.
14: Michael Gugliotta (194/84)
Gugliotta lined up at CHB, but played fairly loosely, running forward on several occasions. Even when he was caught out of position by a turnover (sounds like Essendon's defence), he made up a fair bit of ground fairly quickly.
15: Troy Taylor (188/75)
Taylor had Reimers' boots on, so certainly stood out. He ran well on a half back flank.
18: Steven May (190/83)
Unfortunately, this kid was born in early January, 1992, so will almost certainly be snapped up by the Gold Coast. He dominated at FF, took so huge marks and has a massive kick. Although playing in a different position, his attack on the footy reminded me of Brendon Goddard.
20: Roland Ah Chee (184/79)
Ah Chee has a beautiful kick, and certainly knows where the goals are. He certainly has potential as a FP.
23: Deon Gordon (185/87)
In a game which was really lacking in defensive quality, Gordon seemed to mop up a lot of Queensland's attacks. He also had pretty neat skills. Behind May, he was best on for mine.
24: Mitchell Taylor (188/79)
This kid is far from the polished article, and indeed is very, very raw. However he showed glimpses of massive potential, and went for some huge marks and showed some great hands at times when picking up off the ground. I certainly wouldn't even consider him for the national draft, but on a rookie list he could certainly show some worth. The talent is there, but it needs a lot of work if it's to come out.
GoldenboyHird_5
1 Jul 2009, 18:50
May's a Melbourne Grammar boy. Played like one too. Tough as nails.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 18:59
Vic Country v Western Australia
Vic Country
3: Allen Christensen (176/74)
Christensen presented well, and in a game where everyone was trying to impress the recruiters he passed off a ball which he probably could have kicked, which, ironically, impressed me. He was pretty quiet overall though.
7: Andrew Hooper (172/76)
Hooper played as a back pocket, but also as a tagger, and was very effective defensively in both roles. He also has some beautiful skills. The only query is his height, but this bloke is a footballer rather than an athlete, and would be a monty if he was 10cm taller.
20: Ben Cunnington (186/84)
Fought very hard for the ball in the forwardline, and won at least one goal through sheer tenacity. He's also pretty good in the air.
21: Koby Stevens (187/82)
Didn't really stand out to me today.
23: Gary Rohan (186/79)
Rohan was one of those players who did a lot but whose influence is hard to describe. Suffice to say that he got a lot of the ball, and did a lot with it.
26: John Butcher (197/84)
Needs to put on some muscle, but is going to Melbourne, and is going to do well there. He has a beautiful kick, is very strong in the air, but also tackles well.
Western Australia
1: Travis Colyer (175/73)
Had three shots on the run from clearances up the ground, including one goal from a centre bounce reminiscent of Ablett's 9 second goal against Melbourne this year. He's incredibly fast, and is definitely capable of exciting a crowd. As with Hooper, there's queries over his height, but he looks good enough to overcome them IMHO.
4: Brandon Matera (174/61)
Has a booming kick and good instincts. Is definitely a Matera.
5: Clinton Garlett (175/72)
He's quick and elusive. Pretty much the sort of player you want sitting in your forward pocket.
6: Ryan Neates (178/75)
Huge workrate for a midfielder. He ran the entire field, gaining about three possessions along the way to set up a goal. Scored a couple of nice goals himself in the last quarter, if memory serves me correctly.
10: Kane Lucas (188/79)
He's certainly quick, but didn't really stand out to me.
24: Anthony Morabito (190/90)
Ditto Lucas; I didn't really notice him.
Has anyone got any news on Robbie Hicks from Vic Metro? I used to be in his footy team and he was the sort of player who dominated every game in the juniors. He was extremely fast and skillful. Really it's about me finding out how he's going more than if he'd be drafted by us but he's a quick small forward who'd probably be handy.
Bombsaway08
1 Jul 2009, 19:07
I was very impressed with Colyer, very fast and looked as though he could easily fit in with our fast run and carry game plan. The only problem is at 175 he might be too short for the modern game.
Cunnington, Rohan and Martin were also very good. I was disapointed with butcher though.
CuriousObsession
1 Jul 2009, 19:08
How did Matthew Panos from South Australia? I remember reading that he is supposed to be an extremely accurate full forward. Anyone see him play?
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 19:12
We can't hold that against him GBH. One question though: How much did he cost? *clap-clap clap clap-clap*
Vic Metro v South Australia
Vic Metro
6: Andrew Gaff (180/75)
Had a beautiful pick up for a goal, and has a really clean pair of hands. Had a fair amount of the ball across the half forward line as well.
14: Jack Fitzpatrick (201/85)
His mates who had the "Jack Fitzpatrick Wing" banner seemed to jinx him, because he'd fumble every time they said something about him. As a very tall forward slash ruckman, he looked impressive, and took a big mark overhead.
21: Jayden Hoegel (177/72)
Got a lot of the ball across the half backline and the wing.
24: Robbie Hicks (176/68)
Has very clean hands, but seems indecisive when he has the ball. Needs to improve his kicking if he wants to improve as a small forward. Has exceptional pace.
25 (aka 32): Tom Scully (182/74)
With a blood nose early, Scully came back on with number 25 on his back, and a Juddemort style bandage. Basically, this kid is everything you've heard about him.
30: Jake Carlisle (196/93)
Took some massive grabs in the forward line.
34: Josh Toy (185/87)
Provided good run with the ball from defence and has beautiful skills. I'll be astounded if GC17 don't sign him.
South Australia
16: Luke Tapscott (181/84)
Presented well up forward and got a bit of the ball there.
20: Jack Trengove (185/82)
Although he was fairly quiet, he pushed forwards very well when SA had the ball, and provided another forward option, even as a midfielder. I hope he goes to Port, just so we see the abbreviation Jacks. Trengove for his namesake already there.
Feel free to PM me if you want to send me copious amounts of money before ant comes in and says everything is wrong.:p
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 19:15
Has anyone got any news on Robbie Hicks from Vic Metro? I used to be in his footy team and he was the sort of player who dominated every game in the juniors. He was extremely fast and skillful. Really it's about me finding out how he's going more than if he'd be drafted by us but he's a quick small forward who'd probably be handy.
Abers >>>>>> Doutta.:p
Another thing about Robbie (I was in his class once at primary school) is that he is a genuinely nice bloke.
was that Phil's or Peter's son? very good player
Pretty sure I read that he is Wally's son.
Abers >>>>>> Doutta.:p
Another thing about Robbie (I was in his class once at primary school) is that he is a genuinely nice bloke.
I managed to sneak into the U14s A-Grade side and win a premiership medal over the Abers so I have love for the Douttas. Also, I went to Essendon North Primary with Robbie before he went off to PEGS.
One thing about Robbie I was wondering is his size. He seemed scrawny as a kid but I assume he's put on a bit of muscle since then. Is he big enough to play footy yet? It's also nice to know he hasn't lost his speed.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 19:44
Although he's not very tall at all, he's certainly gotten bigger.
Still needs to put on a fair bit of muscle though.
King Of The Hille
1 Jul 2009, 19:44
watched the wa country game on fox and i must say morabito impesed me early. he took a strong mark going back and looks to have great skills.
If he slid down to 8 - 10 i would take him in a heartbeat
Tasmania v New South Wales/ACT
Tasmania:
7: Joshua Green (180/73)
[COLOR=Black]
14: Jesse Crichton (183/66)
38: Cameron Milne (200/97)
What did you think on McNeil BTG? I thought he was great through the midfield for NSW.
Will do my own review in the next 24 hours as I have a few things to do.
If anyone has a query on any others, let me know.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 20:27
What did you think on McNeil BTG? I thought he was great through the midfield for NSW.
Didn't notice him to be honest. That was more to do with the fact that I missed the first half than however well he played.
fishguts
1 Jul 2009, 20:37
Didn't see you there Ben, that might've been because I wasn't there or it could've been your fault, guess we'll never know...
In the end, after catching a glimpse of Serena Williams last night left me unable to sleep and thus took my motivation to catch the 7 20 train up.
Ben the Gooner
1 Jul 2009, 20:52
Didn't see you there Ben, that might've been because I wasn't there or it could've been your fault, guess we'll never know...
The mysteries of life.
Colin D'Cops
1 Jul 2009, 22:26
What did you think on McNeil BTG? I thought he was great through the midfield for NSW.
He played really well I thought. Kicked a nice goal or two and was really smart with the footy in his hands. Won the best player award for Div2 from memory.
Thanks for the write-up lads was hoping to catch it on Fox but after a 30 hour shift got home at midday had completely forgotten about it had 3 beers and passed out.
Duckworth
2 Jul 2009, 11:57
The mysteries of life.
I missed catching up with you guys as well, I was looking around for Essendon jumpers (and people taking notes). Maybe next year we can try again.
BTW who was number 1 for SA?
Ben the Gooner
2 Jul 2009, 12:08
I missed catching up with you guys as well, I was looking around for Essendon jumpers (and people taking notes). Maybe next year we can try again.
I didn't see any Dons jumpers floating around either.
BTW who was number 1 for SA?
Byron Sumner (174cm/68kg, DOB: 31/10/91)
Duckworth
2 Jul 2009, 12:11
I didn't see any Dons jumpers floating around either.
Byron Sumner (174cm/68kg, DOB: 31/10/91)
Thanks for that. He looked alright in patches that i saw.
Next year I'll wear my Essendon jumper (and one of those hats with beer mugs attached to the side) so that you can find me.
Trengove was very good in the first half. Was in and outside packs and his skills were very good. Lucas was rather quiet, expected a little more I must say and noticeably missed two goals he would normally slot through the big sticks. Stevens wasn't overly noticeable I must say today, so can't really comment on him. Probably didn't notice him as he could have been in & under packs for the majority of the time. Wanganeen was rather quiet in the first half, and I found him quite hard to spot as he didn't get the ball much at all.
Lucas was quiet ??
You must be slipping . Along with Swallow he had a heap of the ball through the middle and provided a heap of run. He ended up with 24 possessions and i thought he was one of WA's better players.
Vic Country v Western Australia
Vic Country
[COLOR=Black]3: Allen Christensen (176/74)
[COLOR=Black]Christensen presented well, and in a game where everyone was trying to impress the recruiters he passed off a ball which he probably could have kicked, which, ironically, impressed me. He was pretty quiet overall though.
Not sure what happened to him after half time. He was very good in the first half with around 14 disposals and 5 or 6 clearances but he spent most of the thrid quarter on the bench. He came on in the last as a forward but did not see much of the footy.
10: Kane Lucas (188/79)
He's certainly quick, but didn't really stand out to me.
See above. Along with Swallow it was him who gave WA a lot of drive through the middle all day. Was always somewhere around the stopages.
24 possessions in 4 20 minute quarters is good going.
24: Anthony Morabito (190/90)
Ditto Lucas; I didn't really notice him.
Quiet first half but found a bit more of it after half time. Very strong over the footy.
Will have a report on a good number of players based on the whole champ series over the next week or so.
Ben the Gooner
2 Jul 2009, 13:19
See above. Along with Swallow it was him who gave WA a lot of drive through the middle all day. Was always somewhere around the stopages.
24 possessions in 4 20 minute quarters is good going.
Due to the fact that this is the first time I've seen any of these players at all, let alone live, I only really took notice of the flashier players.
The absence of any players from my list is by no means a slight on them.
Colin D'Cops
2 Jul 2009, 14:01
Lucas was quiet ??
You must be slipping . Along with Swallow he had a heap of the ball through the middle and provided a heap of run. He ended up with 24 possessions and i thought he was one of WA's better players.
24 disposals is fine, but he didn't use it like I'm used to seeing from him. Swallow was very good, have to agree there. Saw a fair bit of Lucas at HF throughout the match, and as I said he could've easily added 1-2 goals to the WA total.
24 disposals is fine, but he didn't use it like I'm used to seeing from him. Swallow was very good, have to agree there. Saw a fair bit of Lucas at HF throughout the match, and as I said he could've easily added 1-2 goals to the WA total.
Well i will have to disagree on Lucas. Yes he missed a couple of goals but he was very good through the middle. His handball from stopages was very effective and when WA got there run on it was him and Swallow that where in there dishing the ball off, more often than not to each other.
You are being way too harsh on the fact he could have kicked a coupe more goals.
Colin D'Cops
2 Jul 2009, 16:17
You are being way too harsh on the fact he could have kicked a coupe more goals.
Probably, but I just wanted to see him stamp his authority on the scoreboard. Was left wanting a little!
Jack fitzpatrick (#14 for vic metro) is a really good player, and is a very fats tall man standing at 201 cm, he is only going upwards. he had an off game yesterday because he only played about 2 quarters due to the flu that week. also Bnejamin Griffiths (num 28 for vic metro) having returned from a 1 year injury yesterday being one of his first games back looks to be promising. i would esiscially like to get him and he might be a 3rd round draft pick because of that injury. looks to be a loong term prospect at any club he will goto. but everyones first option would be scully or trengove.
Big Blow Hard
2 Jul 2009, 19:01
Any info on my Cobden/Timboon lads.
I know there have been good wraps on Ben Cunnington and Gary Rohan.
But am also interested in Luke Thompson (was talked up as a bottom age chance last year, but was not drafted).
Also on the topic of representative basketballers turning into good footballers, I am curious if Zac Pickett from Warrnamboll played. Big lad, represented Victoria in just about every age level in B/Ball.
King Of The Hille
3 Jul 2009, 17:07
WHAT ABOUT #1 FOR WA....!!!!
surely he gets a mention, there was one play where he sprinted past 4 country players and kicked a goal
WHAT ABOUT #1 FOR WA....!!!!
surely he gets a mention, there was one play where he sprinted past 4 country players and kicked a goal
just who is that btw?
B-Bomber
3 Jul 2009, 17:52
No one has answered the most important question when appraising new potential draftees:
Who's the hottest?! :confused:
:D
King Of The Hille
3 Jul 2009, 18:02
just who is that btw?
pretty sure its travis coyler
Ben the Gooner
3 Jul 2009, 18:28
WHAT ABOUT #1 FOR WA....!!!!
surely he gets a mention, there was one play where he sprinted past 4 country players and kicked a goal
1: Travis Colyer (175/73)
Had three shots on the run from clearances up the ground, including one goal from a centre bounce reminiscent of Ablett's 9 second goal against Melbourne this year. He's incredibly fast, and is definitely capable of exciting a crowd. As with Hooper, there's queries over his height, but he looks good enough to overcome them IMHO.
Reading the thread before making a dick out of yourself is under-rated.
King Of The Hille
3 Jul 2009, 18:44
lol take it easy mate im on your side....
read the thread yesterday but forgot his name